As the 2026 season heads towards the finish line for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the goal is to end the year on a positive note. Taking two out of three against an NL Central rival, locking down third place in the division, and winning the finale at PNC Park was the perfect way to close out another season of baseball on the North Shore. That’s exactly what the Buccos did in the final home series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Jared Jones stole the show in the opening game of this series, just like he has done for most of September so far. Jones made quick work of the St. Louis lineup, easily allowing himself to get deep into the game. He carried a Perfect Game into the sixth inning before Nathan Church blooped a one-out double past third baseman Jacob Gonzalez to break up Jones’ shot at history. Jones would mention postgame that it was one of those “WTF” moments, but we will leave it at that. If you have a chance to listen to that soundbite, please do so.
Jones didn’t let that fluke hit slow him down at all, though. He was able to retire the next two batters in order to get out of that small jam and then tossed a 1-2-3 seventh inning to cap off his night in marvelous fashion. This is the Jared Jones Pirates fans love to see. He was pitching with confidence and tons of energy.
The Pirates offense came through for Jones in the sixth when Ryan O’Hearn drove in Oneil Cruz with a two-out single to left field to make it 1-0. They would add a second run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning to make it 2-0, and that would be enough to secure a victory.
Luke Weaver and Gregory Soto each added scoreless innings to preserve the win for Jones and the Bucs in Game 1.
Game 2 was another bullpen game for the Pirates, but this one did not go their way. The Cardinals struck for three runs in the third inning off of Brandon Eisert and Khristian Curtis. Alec Burleson added to his league-leading RBI total with a single to center that scored JJ Wetherholt. Ivan Herrera scored on a wild pitch from Curtis later in the inning, and another RBI single scored Burleson to make it 3-1 St. Louis.
With Curtis still on the mound, the Cardinals added two more runs in the following inning. Masyn Winn drove in a run on an RBI double, and Wetherholt brought in another with an RBI single of his own to make it 5-1. That score would hold final, and the Red Birds rallied in Game 2 to even the series.
Stop me if you have heard this before, but the lone bright spot of the game was Brandon Lowe. He blasted his 34th homer of the season, one which would prove to be his final cannonball at PNC Park this season and potentially in his Pirates career. If it truly was his last, it was a heck of a blast to go out on.
The final game at PNC Park for 2026, and the rubber match against the Cardinals, went the way of the home team. Paul Skenes took the mound for his final start of a pretty widely-discussed 2026 campaign, and he was able to end things on a high note. He gave up an early home run to Burleson in the first inning, but that was the only damage done in his 6.1 strong innings. Skenes’ final line was 6.1 innings, 3 hits, 1 ER, and 8 strikeouts.
Lowe was at it again for the Bucs in this one, as he ripped an RBI single to tie things right back up at 1 in the first inning. He picked up his 95th RBI of the season to pair with his 34 homers.
The Pirates broke the 1-1 tie in the eighth inning courtesy of Ronny Simon and Spencer Horwitz. Simon reached first, stole second, and advanced to third base on an errant throw to set the Bucs up to take the lead. They did just that when Horwitz delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1.
The Pirates bullpen held it down yet again, and Mason Montgomery locked down his 17th straight save. He has now tossed 24.1 straight scoreless innings.
The Bucs were able to raise the Jolly Roger and hoist the cone one more time at home in 2026.
Final Thoughts
There is not much more you could ask for from the Pirates in their final home series of the 2026 season. They took two of three from the Cardinals, locked down third place in the NL Central, and finished their final game at PNC Park with a victory in front of the home crowd. It was not the season the Pirates wanted, but there was something fitting about ending the home portion of the schedule on a high note.
Jared Jones continues to look like the pitcher Pirates fans hoped he would be when he burst onto the scene, and his performance in Game 1 was another reminder of what he is capable of when he is pitching with confidence. Paul Skenes also finished his 2026 campaign with a strong outing, giving up just one run over 6.1 innings while striking out eight. Having those two starters finish the season on positive notes is something the Pirates can carry into the offseason.
And then there is Brandon Lowe. What a season he has had. Thirty-four home runs, 95 RBI, and countless huge moments throughout the year. If this truly was his final home run and final series at PNC Park in a Pirates uniform, he certainly gave the fans plenty to remember. It would be hard to imagine this lineup without the production he has provided all season.
Mason Montgomery has also quietly put together one heck of a finish to the year. Seventeen straight saves and 24.1 consecutive scoreless innings is an incredible way to close out the season, and the Pirates have found themselves a very reliable arm at the back end of the bullpen.
Now, there are only three games left in the 2026 season. The Pirates will head to Detroit looking to finish the year with a series victory and potentially close things out with a winning record. The postseason is out of reach, but there is still something to play for, and hopefully the Bucs can carry some of this momentum into the final weekend.
The final series for the Pirates will kick off Friday night in Detroit against the Tigers. It will be Bubba Chandler vs. Jackson Jobe with first pitch set for 6:40 PM.
One final series. Let’s finish this thing right.
